A Cabinet is any cupboard-like piece of furniture for storing objects, often with shelves or doors but not always. Compared to modern example which are often poorly constructed and quite plain, old cabinets were often constructed to proudly show off so are a great way to combine character and superb quality in one. With their glass fronted doors Display Cabinets have always been desirable for those special objects you just don’t want to hide away from sight and were particularly fashionable during the 18th and 19th Centuries. In contrast, Side Cabinets usually offer a mixture of solid or glass doors in a design more reminiscent of a sideboard. They tend to be elegantly thought-out objects in their own right often using fine timbers, carved rails and fine tapered legs.
Although most antique cabinets have been designed with a specific purpose in mind such as Cocktail cabinets, Filing cabinets or Music cabinets, never overlook them even if that is not the use you are intending for it. Their versatility can usually still work for any modern use and add a touch of unusualness to the room.
At LoveAntiques we have very large selection of Antique and Vintage cabinets for all your storage needs.
Worboys Antiques
Arts & Crafts Oak Cabinet Bookcase
£ 1,425
Sussex Antiques and Interiors
Very Pretty Pair French Louis XVI Bedsides
£ 1,200
Harry Raine Antiques
Early 20th Century Walnut Shop Display Cabinet / Shop Fitting / Show Case
£ 1,100
Early 20th Century Walnut Shop Display Cabinet / Shop Fitting / Show Case
£ 1,100
Harry Raine Antiques
£ 430
Penderyn Antiques
Antique Pine Glazed Cabinet
£ 1,150
Arundel Eccentrics
French Marble Top Bedside
£ 240
Arundel Eccentrics
Fish Decorated Bedsides
£ 340
LT Antiques
Pair of Victorian Walnut Bedside Chests
£ 1,150
Worboys Antiques
Oak Art Deco Cabinet Bookcase
£ 475
Worboys Antiques
Small Mahogany Wall Cabinet
£ 125
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Swedish Inlaid Marquetry Cabinet by Erik Mattsson
£ 4,750
Antique & Decorative
French Art Deco Side Cabinet
£ 890
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Walnut Breakfront Secretaire Bookcase
£ 2,250
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Burr Walnut Cocktail Drinks Cabinet
£ 975
London City Antiques
Antique Edwardian Quality Mahogany Inlaid Corner Display Cabinet
£ 1,875
Antique Edwardian Quality Mahogany Inlaid Corner Display Cabinet
£ 1,875
London City Antiques
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Georgian Oak Freestanding Glazed Corner Cabinet Cupboard c.1790
£ 695
Hingstons Antiques
Pair of Victorian Inlaid Walnut Pier Cabinets
£ 3,850
Camden Antiques
Arts & Crafts Inlaid Mahogany Display Cabinet
£ 2,750
FB Antiques
Antique French Marquetry Side Cabinet
£ 475
Martlesham Antiques
Fabulous Quality 19th Century Burr Walnut Bookcase
£ 12,800
Alain Michel Antiques
Pair of Burl Walnut Bedside Tables - 19th Century
€ 2,900
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Victorian Amboyna Bedside Chests
£ 1,750
Georgian Antiques
Burr Walnut Neat Size Chest of Drawers/bedside Lockers
£ 1,325
£ 319.99
£ 345.55
Vintage Old Charm Oak Corner Cabinet / Light Oak Finish / Made in England C1970
£ 345.55
MebleinUK
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Georgian Revival Pair of Inlaid Mahogany Cellarettes - Cupboards Cabinets
£ 2,995
Antique Georgian Revival Pair of Inlaid Mahogany Cellarettes - Cupboards Cabinets
£ 2,995
Prior & Willis Antiques
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Figured Mahogany Secretaire Desk/cabinet
£ 2,250
Antique George III Quality Figured Mahogany Secretaire Desk/cabinet
£ 2,250
London City Antiques
£ 6,500
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair Inlaid Satinwood & Parcel Gilt Bedside Tables
£ 480
£ 995
Millers Antiques
Tall Bedside Cabinet Lamb Manchester
£ 450
Erfmann Vintage
Mid Century Morris of Glasgow Display Cabinet with Doors
£ 325
Camden Antiques
Arts & Crafts Display Cabinet by Shapland & Petter
£ 3,950
Erfmann Vintage
Mid Century Morris of Glasgow Long Glass Display
£ 325
London City Antiques
Quality Antique Victorian Inlaid Burr Walnut Music Cabinet
£ 1,675
Holmes Antiques
17th Century Walnut Cabinet on Stand
£ 8,500
£ 450
Mid Century Morris of Glasgow Tall Display Cabinet Glass Fronted Bookcase
£ 450
Erfmann Vintage
£ 995
Philip Hunt Antiques
Georgian Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
£ 495
Town House Traders Ltd
Art Deco Figured Walnut Display Cabinet
£ 450
The antique cabinet first emerged in Italy in the late Renaissance. From initially being a small room that displayed objects, thus the term display cabinet, the antique cabinet soon became a piece of furniture with a pair of doors enclosing small drawers. Some antique cabinets were on stands while others were placed on chests. In the 16th century, the French style antique cabinets were based on architectural lines, while the English style antique cabinets were small and mounted on a stand. By the 17th century, the English style antique cabinet was popular among the rich, and in the mid-17th century, southern Germany and Antwerp specialised in creating inlaid ones. After the Restoration in 1660, these antique furniture pieces became decorative objects.
Not all old cabinets are antique. It could be one of those vintage cabinets; it could also be a mere replica or a new display cabinet designed to look old. To know that what you have is an authentic antique cabinet, it’s essential to be familiar with the craftsmanship, material, and each style used at least a hundred years ago. Aside from signs of wear, you have to look for any marks of the manufacturer. Try to find the stamp or branding as well as the location or country where it was made. Determine the type of wood used, how the cabinet was put together, and signs of it being handcrafted. To accurately identify the age of your antique display cabinet, take it to a reputable appraiser or antiques expert or antique dealers.
If they aren’t yet a hundred years old, or not created during the Georgian period, Regency, Victorian or the Edwardian period, 19th century or early 20th century, then you have vintage cabinets. Vintage storage cabinets would often have bright or pastel colours and romantic floral decorations. For a display cabinet to be vintage, it has to have the best characteristics of the period it was created in, so you have to learn about the different styles of the different decades under 100 years. Going to an antiques expert or appraiser or visiting your local antique dealers will save you time and you’ll get to have all the information you need, including the price range you could sell your furniture for.
An antique cabinet can have a price range of £90-£85,000. The price of any antique furniture depends on the item’s condition, age, materials and style, among others. The more original components these items still have, the higher would be their value. By getting your items appraised by a professional, you’d be able to find out if you have antique cabinets UK dealers would pay much for as well as know how much money you could make out of the items. The more information you have about your items, the more chance you’d be able to sell them.